Friday, March 29, 2013

We saw these really cute crayons a bride made from a post on The Wedding Chicks blog, and wanted to figure out and share how to do this project yourself! These crayons would be perfect for a kids table at your reception or as a favor for your guests. We love the idea of covering a kids table with a craft paper roll and letting the kids go to town at the reception. How fun would it be to take a section and frame it from your wedding, or include it in the guest book?

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

I often get asked: "What do I do with my bouquet after my wedding?" or "Our invites are way too beautiful to toss out, but I don't know what to do with them."

I know this is me exactly - I've got a box in my closet (that's moved everywhere with us) full of scraps of ribbon, invitations, favor tags, etc. from our wedding. I just don't want to part with it, but have nothing to do with it either.

I saw this and thought that it was such a perfect and inexpensive solution! Turn on your crafty side and make them into timeless Christmas ornaments that will last you a lifetime. Here's an idea of two different options:

If you want to add in dried out petals, simply take apart a flower's bloom and spread the petals out on piece of paper towel. Set them in a well-ventilated area where breezes won't blow the petals around.

I loved the idea of adding in a wine cork from a wine bottle at the reception with them!

Another idea is to cut your invitation into strips (the text lines are great breaks for the strips). Curl the strips by wrapping them around a dowel or curling iron for fatter curls, or a pencils for tighter curls. It's great when you can face the important bits of text out towards the glass.

Viola! You now have a beautiful ornament to bring back memories for years! You can add details to the outside of the ornament (wedding date, location, etc.) with a paint marker, usually a few dollars at your local craft store.

Already tossed the bouquet? Visit your local florist to purchase a few stems of the flowers that were in your wedding bouquet and follow the process. Dig out the invite if it's in a box and put it on display!

This couple created their own painting in place of the traditional unity candle! I think this is the neatest idea!

I love how it creates a meaningful piece of art that can be hung and enjoyed forever. Let's face it, not many people display their unity candles in their home, but a cool piece of art like this would be awesome!

Monday, March 18, 2013

I saw this and literally laughed out loud! But seriously, I think it's Brilliant with a capital B!

Really, as The Bride, you have enough going on during your wedding day. Not that you don't want to hear from loving friends and family, but you want to be able to take this one day and focus on yourself and enjoying the moment and the commitment you're about to make.

Providing your guests with a list of important phone numbers and people designated to help if someone needs anything will certainly cut down on the details to worry about and help keep you from needing your phone glued to your hip while you're getting ready. Nothing can frazzle a bride more than getting a hundred calls during hair and make-up with questions ranging from "The best-man can't find his tie," to "Uncle Bob is lost and can't find the hotel," or even "Where should we go for lunch?"

Something like this will help you to be able to relax and really be a guest at your own wedding!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Eloping to Vegas? Well if you are and crave pancakes, I know just the place for you to go! I know this sounds crazy, but Denny's really did open up a wedding chapel in Las Vegas! They have weddings inside the restaurant and offer a full range of packages to couples, everything from champagne and dessert to complete meals.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

I just want to talk for a quick second and get something off my chest.

Please, please, please hire vendors for your wedding that are TRUE professionals, experienced in weddings, and come recommended by other professionals you trust in the wedding industry (for example, by your wedding planner!).

Recently we coordinated a wedding where the couple hired a DJ that we had never heard of because the price was right. The wedding was stunning - beautiful couple completely in love, gorgeous flowers, fantastic venue - crappy DJ. Wrong songs were played at both the ceremony and reception at key moments, he stopped the party and flow repeatedly to make announcements at the wrong times, and was generally annoying on the microphone (and especially to us behind the scenes).

Now, I know that this particular DJ has wedding experience (something that is KEY to hiring your vendors - weddings are a whole different ball game than regular events!), but there obviously was a reason that we had never heard of him previously.

We take care to recommend to our couples vendors to hire that we have confidence in, know will do the best job possible, and fit into the couple's budget. We never receive kick-backs in return. The simple fact is, it makes our job easier when we know the people that are hired are awesome at what they do and can be counted on to be reliable and professional.

And by the way - be sure to ask if the people on the "preferred vendor list" paid to be there, or if they really are preferred vendors!

Luckily for him, the DJ in question was hired by THE MOST relaxed and easy going couple on the planet. They had a great day and were quick to forgive and forget the mistakes. Trust me - most couples would never be that laid back!

To avoid this all together - do some homework, ask around, and make sure the people you hire have real wedding experience.

And if you hire a wedding planner - trust them! We see the best and the worst and know the cream of the crop. We won't steer you wrong!

Monday, March 11, 2013

In our business, we've seen it all - beautiful, touching, tear-jerking toasts to the newlyweds that leave smiles all around, and then the toasts where you want to take the microphone back and cringe.

At some point, you'll probably be asked to give a toast for someone special at their wedding. Here's some fantastic advice for how to do it right we found on Alexan Events. It's a completely fail-safe way to give a meaningful, touching, and simple speech that guests will actually want to listen to!

1. Do not talk about ex’s. Period. Even if you went on an amazing trip as a group, that trip could remind of the ex – what’s the need?! You’re standing up there because you and the bride have a history of one million memories together – lose the ones that incorporate the losers.

2. No jokes about wedding night sex. Period. Grandma is sitting right there. MOM AND DAD are sitting right there. Just don’t go there.

3. Inside jokes are called inside jokes for a reason.

4. Limit the drinking until after you speak. You might think it will help, but it’s not worth it to make a fool of yourself…because then you’re making a fool of your friend who asked you to stand up there!

5. Use the 3-1-2 principle. To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of this until I read this article but it’s a fantastic principle – it goes a little something like this.

3rd person – For a few minutes in the beginning, speak in third person. Tell a story – maybe it’s about you and your friend, maybe it’s about how the bride and groom met, maybe it’s a funny story about that time the Bride cried for 3 days straight because N*SYNC broke up. Some light, airy and to let the people know you are connected to the couple.

1st person – Speak directly about how the bride or groom makes you feel as an important part of your life – how grateful you are to call her your best friend, how excited you are that he is part of the family now, how you admire certain qualities they exude. Share your emotion, but try to keep it muted (we don’t want to listen to you blubber for 10 minutes).

2nd person - Speak directly to the bride and groom – the classic “wishing you nothing but the best and happiest life together” is classic for a reason.

Conclude -raise your glass and simply say “To the newlyweds.”

Perfect, right? I couldn't have said it better myself! :) Follow these tips and you'll give a memorable speech that you can be proud of and won't have guests running for the hills.

Have you ever given a wedding toast or do you have one coming up? What are you planning to talk about?

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

I am just in love with how one of my couples are choosing their slow dance songs for their reception - I had to share it with all of you!

They love the idea of including all of their guests in the wedding, and decided the perfect way was to ask them for their first dance songs, from their own weddings, on their RSVP cards. The answers sent back will be their playlist for slow songs at their reception. How neat is this?!

They love that they'll get to learn these fun facts about their guests and family and know that this is guaranteed to get people up on the dance floor. You can't stay seated when they're playing your song, right?

Friday, March 1, 2013

We've all been there - found the most amazing pair of heels to wear to a special event and then half-way through the night, our feet start killing us and we end up dancing the night away barefoot or in a cheap pair of flip-flops.

That's why when After Flats contacted me and asked if I'd try out their foldable ballet flats, I was super intrigued and said yes immediately!

Mine look exactly as pictured and are super comfy when on. I used them last week after a bridal show while we were breaking down our booth - my feet thanked me big time!

I agree that they make a great affordable bridesmaid gift! You can get them in a color that coordinates with their gowns, and a pair for your feet too. They are easy to personalize as well - you can have the outside of the clutch embroidered with their initials, or anything else you like. Your girls will thank you for saving their feet while they are partying!

The only issue I found was that I had some trouble stuffing them into the clutch if I tried to fit anything in there with the shoes. I'm not sure how easy it would be to use them as your only bag for a night out if you also need to carry some money, cell phone, or lipstick. I have big feet, so it might be easier with the smaller sizes. :)

The clutch is small enough though to fit in a purse with your other essentials and would be simple stick in your bag and carry with you for the night.

What do you think? Are you as curious as I was? Head over to After Flats website and take a look!